Former New York Yankees pitcher Mel Stottlemyre's health was improving Sunday after his son said Friday that the 75-year-old was fighting for his life in hospital.

Stottlemyre was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer, in 2000.

"Please know that the greatest warrior I have ever known is doing a lot better," Stottlemyre's son Todd wrote on his Facebook page. 

"He is recovering at God speed and he is looking forward to getting out of the hospital."

Stottlemyre pitched 11 seasons with the Yankees from 1964-1974, winning 20-plus games in 1965, 1968 and 1969.

The five-time All-Star posted a Major League Baseball career record of 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA in 360 games.

After he retired, Stottlemyre served as pitching coach for the 1986 World Series-winning New York Mets. He also served as pitching coach for title-winning Yankees teams in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Surce: AFP